Transcript Infoprint Server

Infoprint Server
IBM has printing solutions in z/OS and OS/390 to meet all of your enterprise printing needs:
•Print Services Facility (PSF) provides industrial strength support for production printing and mission
critical distributed printing.
•Infoprint Server supports distributed enterprise printing over TCP/IP, including a single printer
inventory for all printers managed by the solution, and ability to "capture" VTAM application output
and place it on the spool for printing with PSF or Infoprint Server.
•Infoprint Server Transforms lets you print AFP application output on PCL or PostScript printers, or
LAN-based print files in PCL, PostScript or PDF on shared, reliable AFP printers. It also transforms
SAP output for AFP printing, and supports the attachment of VTAM-controlled coax printers.
Infoprint® Server is an optional feature of OS/390 V2R8-V2R10 and z/OS V1R1.
Infoprint Server delivers improved efficiency and lower overall printing cost with the flexibility for
high-volume, high-speed printing from anywhere in the network. Infoprint Server lets you reduce the
overall cost of printing while balancing your print workload across all available printers.
What does Infoprint Server do for you?
Infoprint Server lets you consolidate your print workload from many servers to a central OS/390 print
server. Consolidating onto a central print server lets you use the right printer for specific print jobs and
more easily manage the inventory of printers.
No matter what type of data you want to print (payroll, invoices, Web documents, sales reports), you can
use OS/390 batch applications, VTAM applications, applications running on remote workstations, and
OS/390 UNIX® System Services applications to send print requests to Infoprint Server. Infoprint Server
then sends the print requests to OS/390 printers, including local printers and remote printers in a TCP/IP
network.
Infoprint Server lets you:
Access all defined printers
Infoprint Server lets you define all of your printers in a centralized repository, called the Printer Inventory,
so that any user in the network can send print jobs from OS/390 and LAN clients to any printer that is
defined to Infoprint Server. Because all components of Infoprint Server share the printer definitions, you
only have to configure each printer in one place.
Handle print jobs effectively
Because print jobs are managed by the OS/390 JES spool, they are secure, recoverable, and have OS/390
accounting information logged automatically.
Detect and transform data streams
Infoprint Server automatically detects the data stream for jobs that LAN and OS/390 UNIX System Services
clients submit. It can then ensure that the selected printer can print the data stream, thus saving paper and time.
If the Infoprint Server Transforms are installed, and if the printer definition specifies transformation, Infoprint
Server automatically invokes the appropriate transform command to convert any of these data streams to AFPTM
format for printing: PCL, PostScript, PDF, SAP ABAP, and SAP OTF.
Support common printer languages
Infoprint Server lets you print to printers that provide support for the most commonly used printer languages in
the industry, including Postscript, PCL, and AFP or Mixed Object Document Content Architecture-Presentation
(MO:DCA-P). With the optional Infoprint Server Transforms, Infoprint Server also supports PDF, SAP OTF, and
SAP ABAP. Infoprint Server protects your investment in printer hardware, while providing you with printing
enhancements.
Monitor printer status
The SNMP subagent provided with Infoprint Server reports printer status to a printer management program,
such as the IBM Network Printer Manager (NPM), whose graphical user interface (GUI) lets the operator
monitor any IBM AFP printer managed by PSF for OS/390. When something goes wrong, the operator can
check for more details without leaving the workstation.
Query job status
With Infoprint Server, users in the LAN and UNIX System Services environments can query the status of their print
jobs to find out if a job is processing or is complete, or local system users can simply wait for the server to notify
them that the job is complete.
Create AFP output from Windows applications
Infoprint Server provides an AFP Printer Driver for Windows® 95/98 and an AFP Printer Driver for Windows NT®;
therefore, you can print output from any Windows application, such as Lotus WordPro or Freelance, on any of
IBM's AFP printers.
Browse AFP documents on the Web
Infoprint Server includes an AFP Viewer plug-in for the Netscape Navigator and Microsoft® Internet Explorer Web
browsers so you can view AFP documents from your Web browser. You can also use Infoprint Server to print
documents that you are viewing from a Web browser to any defined printer.
Specify printer configuration information for PSF for OS/390
PSF for OS/390 provides support for the administrator to specify printer configuration information in Infoprint
Server. This eliminates the need to write a PSF exit routine to specify customization information or to restart
multiple printers when you change one printer.
Graphic of Infoprint Server Components
The following diagram shows how the components of Infoprint Server fit into your system. The Infoprint
Server components are shaded in yellow. Components of Infoprint Server Transforms are shaded in blue.
Printing Scenarios
IBM Network Printer Manager
A university engineering department maintains a network of many different computers and printers for a variety of
projects. To prevent damage to the printers, they are locked. Only authorized key operators can add toner or clear a
paper jam.
Here is how this department can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) and IBM Network Printer Manager for
the Web (NPM) to monitor printer status:
1. A sheet of paper gets caught in a PSF printer. Because the printer is defined in the Printer Inventory, PSF for OS/390 is able to
report the paper jam to the SNMP subagent immediately.
2. The SNMP subagent reports the paper jam to NPM.
3. In the NPM GUI running in a Web browser on the key operator's Windows workstation, the printer icon turns red to show that
something is wrong with the printer.
4. The key operator clicks on the printer icon to view details about the problem and then goes to the printer and clears the paper
jam.
5. PSF for OS/390 reports to the SNMP subagent that the problem has been corrected. The SNMP subagent transmits this
information to NPM.
6. Meanwhile, a researcher compiles a report at a UNIX workstation. The researcher then starts a Web browser and checks the
NPM GUI to see if the PSF printer is available. The printer icon is now normal.
7. Satisfied that the printer is running, the researcher submits the report to print.
Printing AFP Data from Batch Applications to Network PCL Printers
A bank creates its loan applications in AFP format for printing on high-speed IBM AFP printers. The company also
wants to print these documents at their branch offices; however, the printers at their branch offices can print only
PCL data. For example, the printers might be IBM Network Printer 24s without the optional IPDS cards that let them
print AFP data.
Here is how this company can use Infoprint Server components and the AFP to PCL feature of Infoprint Server
Transforms (in yellow) to meet its requirements:
1. A batch application running on OS/390 or z/OS submits an AFP document to the JES spool for printing on a PCL
printer in the branch office.
2. The IP PrintWay component automatically determines that the AFP document must be transformed into PCL format.
IP PrintWay uses Print Interface to call Infoprint Server Transforms.
3. The AFP to PCL feature of Infoprint Server Transforms uses AFP resources, such as a form definition and fonts from
the AFP resource libraries, to convert the AFP data to PCL format.
4. IP PrintWay transmits the document in PCL format from the JES spool to the PCL printer.
Printing CICS or IMS Output Data on Network Printers
An international manufacturing company recently configured a LAN and has purchased network printers to
replace its coaxially-attached SNA printers. This company wants to print inventory control reports from its
CICS® and IMSTM applications to the network printers, instead of to its usual set of SNA printers.
The company wants to route the reports to one or more remote locations, such as warehouses, docks, and the
plant floor, while taking advantage of the security, accounting, and recovery capabilities of OS/390 or z/OS.
Here is how this company can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) to meet its requirements:
1. The CICS or IMS applications submit print requests using VTAM in the same way they submit print requests to
SNA printers. No changes to the CICS or IMS applications are required.
2. The NetSpool component intercepts the print requests and creates output data sets on the JES spool, using
JES output parameters defined by the administrator. The JES output parameters specify routing information
that IP PrintWay uses to transmit the output to a particular network printer.
3. The IP PrintWay component transmits the output data sets from the JES spool to one or more network
printers on the TCP/IP LAN.
Printing Documents from the Web with the Infoprint Port Monitor
A market research firm wants to print Web documents on LAN-based PostScript printers and local highspeed AFP printers such as the Infoprint 60. In order to improve performance and specify Infoprint Server
job attributes, some users install the Infoprint Port Monitor on their Windows systems.
Here is how this company can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) to meet its requirements:
1. From a Windows workstation, a user views a document from the Web using a browser, such as Netscape Navigator. If
the document is in AFP format, the AFP Viewer plug-in displays the document.
2. The user submits the document for printing using the standard print-submission method provided with the browser or
viewer. The user selects a printer defined to Infoprint Server, which might be a PostScript printer or an AFP printer, and
specifies job attributes in the Infoprint Port Monitor dialog. The printer driver associated with the printer creates an
output file in the required format. For example, the AFP Printer Driver creates an output file in AFP format for printing
on AFP printers.
3. The Infoprint Port Monitor automatically transmits the output file across the TCP/IP LAN to the Print Interface
component.
4. The Print Interface component creates an output data set on the JES spool, using JES output parameters defined by
the administrator and the JES output parameters that correspond to the job attributes specified by the user. The JES
output parameters specify routing information that PSF for OS/390 and IP PrintWay can use to transmit the output to a
printer. These parameters can also specify how the job is printed.
5. If the selected printer is a remote PostScript printer, the IP PrintWay component transmits the output data set to the
PostScript printer on the TCP/IP LAN. If the selected printer is an AFP printer, PSF for OS/390 prints the data set on the
AFP printer.
Printing Documents from the Web with the Windows SMB Protocol
A market research firm wants to print Web documents on LAN-based PostScript printers and high-speed AFP
printers such as the Infoprint 60.
Here is how this company can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) to meet its requirements:
1. From a Windows workstation, a user views a document from the Web using a browser, such as Netscape Navigator.
If the document is in AFP format, the AFP Viewer plug-in displays the document.
2. The user submits the document for printing using the standard print-submission method provided with the browser
or viewer. The user selects a printer defined to Infoprint Server, for example a PostScript printer or an AFP printer. The
printer driver associated with the printer creates an output file in the required format. For example, the AFP Printer
Driver creates an output file in AFP format for printing on AFP printers.
3. The Server Message Block (SMB) protocol included in Windows automatically transmits the output file across the
TCP/IP LAN to the OS/390 or z/OS SMB server, which is part of the Distributed File Service base element of OS/390
and z/OS.
4. The OS/390 or z/OS SMB server calls the Print Interface component to create an output data set on the JES spool.
5. The Print Interface component creates an output data set on the JES spool, using JES output parameters defined by
the administrator. The JES output parameters specify routing information that PSF for OS/390 and IP PrintWay can
use to transmit the output to a printer. These parameters can also specify how the job is printed.
6. If the selected printer is a remote PostScript printer, the IP PrintWay component transmits the output data set to the
PostScript printer on the TCP/IP LAN. If the selected printer is an AFP printer, PSF for OS/390 prints the data set on
the AFP printer.
Printing Documents over the Internet Using the Internet Printing Protocol
A market research firm wants to print documents created by Windows applications over the Internet on LANbased PostScript printers and on high-speed AFP printers such as the Infoprint 60. The company upgrades to
Windows 2000 because Windows 2000 contains a client that can print over the Internet using the Internet
Printing Protocol (IPP). It also installs a printer that contains an IPP server, such as the Infoprint 21.
Here is how this company can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) to meet its requirements:
1. From a Windows 2000 workstation, a user submits the document for printing using the standard printsubmission method provided with Windows. The user selects any printer defined to Infoprint Server, for example
a PostScript printer or an AFP printer. The printer driver associated with the printer creates an output file in the
required format. For example, the AFP Printer Driver creates an output file in AFP format for printing on AFP
printers.
2. The IPP printing protocol included in Windows 2000 automatically transmits the output file across the TCP/IP
LAN to the Print Interface component.
3. The Print Interface component creates an output data set on the JES spool, using JES output parameters defined
by the administrator. The JES output parameters specify routing information that PSF for OS/390 and IP
PrintWay can use to transmit the output to a printer. These parameters can also specify how the job is printed.
4. If the selected printer is a remote PostScript printer, the IP PrintWay component transmits the output data set to
the PostScript printer on the TCP/IP LAN. If the printer supports IPP, IP PrintWay communicates with the
printer's IPP server.
If the selected printer is an AFP printer, PSF for OS/390 prints the data set on the AFP printer.
Printing from Batch Applications to Network Printers
A financial institution wants to use OS/390 or z/OS to develop all of its statements at one central location. It
then wants to print bank statements and reports at each of its branch offices throughout the mid-Atlantic
region.
Here is how this financial institution can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) to meet its
1. The financial institution uses an OS/390 or z/OS batch application to generate statements, segment the
statements by branch office, and store them in separate files for printing.
2. The application uses job control language (JCL) to submit the print files directly to the JES spool.
3. The IP PrintWay component transmits the print files from the JES spool to branch office printers in TCP/IP
and SNA networks. If the printer is in an SNA network, IP PrintWay uses the Coax Printer Support feature of
Infoprint Server Transforms to transform the line data to the SCS or DSC/DSE format supported by the printer.
Printing OS/390 or z/OS UNIX System Services Data on AFP Printers
A midsize retailer runs UNIX applications that have been ported to OS/390 or z/OS UNIX System Services.
Until now, the applications have printed business statements to PostScript printers controlled by a print
server running on a UNIX system. Now, the retailer wants to use a local higher-speed AFP printer, such as
the IBM 3130 printer, for more efficient printing.
Here is how this retailer can use Infoprint Server components and the Infoprint Server Transforms (in
yellow) to meet its requirements:
1. The UNIX user logs onto OS/390 or z/OS UNIX System Services using the rlogin function.
2. Using the OS/390 or z/OS UNIX System Services printing commands provided with Infoprint Server, the
UNIX applications print directly to the Print Interface component.
3. The Print Interface component automatically calls the Infoprint Server Transforms to convert PostScript or
PDF documents to AFP format.
4. The Print Interface component creates output data sets on the JES spool.
5. PSF for OS/390 selects the output data sets from the JES spool and prints them on an AFP printer. If the
retailer has more than one AFP printer, the first available printer can print the data sets.
Creating and Printing AFP Documents from Windows
A large production printing company uses a word processor running on Windows workstations to prepare its
manuals. It then uses IBM AFP printers attached to the OS/390 or z/OS system, such as the IBM Infoprint 60
or the IBM Infoprint 4000 printer, to print the manuals.
Here is how this company can use Infoprint Server components (in yellow) to develop and print from a
Windows environment:
1. From a Windows workstation, a writer prepares a manual using a word processor and then submits the manual
for printing using the standard print-submission method provided with the word processor. The writer selects an
IBM AFP printer attached to the z/OS system, and the AFP Printer Driver for Windows associated with the printer
creates an output file in AFP format.
2. The Infoprint Port Monitor for Windows automatically transmits the output file across the TCP/IP LAN to the
Print Interface component of Infoprint Server running on the OS/390 or z/OS system.
3. The Print Interface component creates an output data set on the JES spool.
4. PSF for OS/390 selects the print job from the JES spool and directs it to the selected IBM AFP printer.